The "Land Down Under" holds appeal for many as a vacation destination due to its distance and uniqueness. Nowhere else in the world can you see koalas and kangaroos in the wild, enjoy your food on the barbie, and explore both a desert and a rainforest in the same car hire trip. If a vacation to Australia is in your future, there are some important facts you should know.
Australia is broken into several regions. While the continent is the smallest one in the world, it is not one that can be seen in its entirety in one trip. The first step towards planning an Australian vacation is to choose the region you wish to explore. The main regions of Australia are New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Each offers its own attractions and climate, as these links show:
New South Wales – The official tourism site of New South Wales, which includes Sydney
Northern Territory – The official tourism site for the Northern Territory
Queensland – Queensland's tourism site which shows the major attractions of this coastal area
South Australia – Tourism site for South Australia, which allows guests to book travel and accommodations
Tasmania – Showcases the many attractions and accommodations of Tasmania
Victoria – The official website for tourism in Melbourne and the rest of Victoria
Western Australia – Offers help for planning a holiday in Western Australia
Seasons and Weather
When most people think of Australia, they think of either tropical rainforests or the hot, dry Outback. While both of these are part of the country, they are just a small picture of the weather and climate of Australia. In Australia, the summer begins in December and ends in February. This is followed by fall from March to May. Winter occurs from June to August, and spring blooms from September to November. Some areas experience all four seasons, but the tropical areas tend to experience a wet and dry season, rather than the traditional four seasons. The Outback receives very little rainfall and is very hot during the day. The Australian Government's Culture and Recreation website offers more detailed information about the weather in the country.
Major Cities
Most tourists who travel to Australia choose to book their accommodations and pick up their car rental in one of the country's major cities. These are some of the most popular:
Adelaide – Located in South Australia and home to several art and history museums
Brisbane – The capital of Queensland and a great place to go explore the bush
Melbourne – A coastal town that is known for its excellent dining and art scenes
Perth – Located in Victoria and home to Heirisson Island and its western gray kangaroo colony
Sydney – Home to the Sydney Opera House
Canberra – Australia's capital city
Major Attractions
Even if they are not near your destination of choice, a trip to Australia is not complete without spending some time at the country's most popular attractions. If you can, plan a day trip so that you can see these popular sites:
The Sydney Opera House – The tourist icon of the country
Kangaroo Island – South Australia's premier island full of wildlife to explore
Ningaloo Reef – A swim with the sharks dive location
Great Barrier Reef – One of the most popular dive attractions in the world
Because of its unique geographic location and interesting flora and fauna, Australia continues to attract visitors from across the globe. Before you book your Australian adventure, take the time to plan carefully so that you can ensure that you see everything you want to see on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
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